Why the Tennessee Volunteers are college football's new quarterback factory

There may be a new “quarterback U” in college football. And that would be the University of Tennessee Volunteers In Knoxville. The SEC program stumbled on some hard times over the last few decades but has seen a resurgence under head coach Josh Heupel. And like any team, one of the most important positions on the field is quarterback. In that department, the Vols have been second to very few in the recruiting realm shortly after Heupel’s arrival.

What quarterbacks has Tennessee recruited?

So far under Heupel, two elite quarterback prospects have arrived in Knoxville, with more committed and hopefully on the way in 2025 and 2026.

Nico Iamaleava: In the class of 2023, Heupel landed his biggest recruit yet as a head coach in quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Iamaleava ranked as the number three quarterback and sixth best prospect nationally by On3 in the class. After one season of sitting on the bench behind Joe Milton in 2023 as a true freshman, Iamaleava is poised to take the reins in 2024.

Jake Merklinger: Although least highly rated of the four, Merklinger is no slouch. The four-star product could have went anywhere with 28 division one offers, including eight from SEC Schools. Merklinger ranks as the number 12 quarterback in the country for the class of 2024 according to On3.

George MacIntyre: Although just a verbal commitment at this point, the in-state product MacIntyre chose the Vols over the Alabama Crimson Tide and eight other SEC schools. MacIntyre is rated by On3 as the number one prospect in the state of Tennessee for the class of 2025 and the eighth best quarterback nationally.

Faizon Brandon: Brandon just committed this past week to the Vols and ranks as the second best quarterback prospect nationally in On3’s composite rankings. The six foot and three inch product out of Greensboro, North Carolina chose the Vols over the in-state NC State wolfpack. While it may be difficult to hold onto Brandon’s commitment for such a long amount of time, if any coach can do it Heupel can.

Josh Heupel should get credit for the development of Hendon Hooker

Although former Vols quarterbacks Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton were already on the roster when Heupel arrived in Knoxville, the tandem is still worth mentioning to credit Heupel at least somewhat; especially Hooker. In two seasons as a starter, Hooker threw for 6,080 yards, 58 touchdowns and only five interceptions.

Although Heupel did not recruit Hooker out of high school, he should still be credited some for his growth and development. And even after Hooker, Heupel managed to get the most out of former Michigan quarterback Joe Milton who had been benched twice as a starting quarterback going into his fifth season. Milton guided the Vols to an 8-4 regular season record.

Why has Tennessee seen a surge in top quarterback recruits?

It is hard to ignore that a big part of the reason for the Vols’ quarterback recruiting success lies solely on the shoulders of the head coach himself, Josh Heupel. Heupel is a former Heisman Trophy runner-up for the Oklahoma Sooners where he played under the high-powered offense of Bob Stoops as the starter for two seasons.

In two years in Norman in 1999 and 2000, Heupel threw for 6,852 yards and 50 touchdowns. The prestige that Heupel brings to the position is proving to pay dividends in Knoxville. And do not expect it to slow down any time soon.